>>Give to the Max Day 2025 Raises nearly $38 Million
(Undated) — ‘Minnesota Nice’ showed up Big Thursday for Give to the Max Day 2025. The 24-hour online giving campaign raised nearly 38 million dollars for nonprofits and schools across the state. Give MN’s Jenna Ray says, “what’s really exceptional about Minnesotans, they rise to that call to support their neighbors and help their nonprofit and school partners support our communities in turn.” Ray says tens of thousands of donors gave generously to 6,400 organizations from Minnesota and around the world.
>>Emergency Hemp News Conference Monday at Minnesota State Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — There’s an emergency news conference at the State Capitol Monday in response to the new federal rule banning most hemp-based T-H-C products. Ryan Kopperud of Duluth-based Wild State Cider and Birdie beverages says companies fear this could wipe out the state’s hemp industry. He says they’re concerned about their business, the jobs their business creates, the revenue, and the tax base that is potentially going away with these products. Kopperud says the meeting will bring federal, state, and local elected officials together with Minnesota hemp and brewing company leaders.
>>Capitol Area Security Committee Hearing Friday Afternoon in St. Paul
(St. Paul, MN) — The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security is hosting its next public hearing this afternoon (Fri) in St. Paul. Republican Senator Rich Draheim of Madison Lake says, “there’s room for improvement and I would support that. But I’m not frightened when I’m up there. You know I think communication is key but the world’s a different place today than it was ten years ago.” Today’s public hearing will include discussions on proper behavior during sessions and hearings, security drills, and an update from the Department of Public Safety.
>>Thanksgiving Travel Period Takes Off at MSP Airport
(Minneapolis, MN) — Officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are expecting 441 thousand people to pass through the gates from November 20th to December 1st. M-S-P’s Jeff Lea says passenger activity really picks up next week. He says Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be the busiest day ahead of the holiday with 47 thousand travelers while Sunday November 30th will be the peak day with 49 thousand people at M-S-P. He recommends passengers “pre-book” parking to reserve a spot and save money.
>>Senator Klobuchar Introduces Adoption Protection for Families
(Washington, DC) — A bipartisan bill introduced by U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar aims to protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed intermediaries. The “Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection and Transparency (ADOPT) Act would also ensure that adoption providers and attorneys operate only in states where they are licensed to do so. Klobuchar says the bill would prevent “unlicensed baby brokers from preying on vulnerable mothers and families.” The legislation has support from leading adoption organizations.
>>DNR Keeps Walleye Limit at 3 Fish for Winter on Lake Mille Lacs
(St. Paul, MN) — The walleye limit on Lake Mille Lacs will stay the same for this winter’s ice fishing season. Anglers can keep three walleyes over 17 inches, but only one can be longer than 20 inches. The D-N-R says the walleye population is trending in a good direction for both adult and juvenile fish. Yellow perch limits are changing, 10 per day and in possession. That’s down from 20 last winter, which had to be cut mid-season after the state exceeded its harvest allocation. And for northern pike, numbers have surged to the highest ever measured by the D-N-R. So, the possession limit will increase from three to five fish, while the 30-inch length limit stays in place to protect trophy-sized pike. The higher limit is meant to encourage additional harvest.
>>Prep Bowl 43 Kicks Off at US Bank Stadium on Friday
(Minneapolis, MN) — The 43rd Prep Bowl kicks off today (Fri) at U-S Bank Stadium. Seven high school football champions will be crowned today and tomorrow at the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium. Three-time Class A defending champion Minneota plays Breckenridge in the first game at 10 a-m. Orono and Kasson-Mantorville meet in the Class 4-A championship game at 1 o’clock this afternoon. Class 2-A champ Jackson County Central looks to defend its title against Goodhue at 4 p-m, and Edina takes on Moorhead tonight (Fri 7pm) for the Class 6-A championship. On Saturday, Hills-Beaver Creek and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy battle for the 9-Man championship at 10 a-m. Waseca and Annandale play for the Class 3-A crown at 1 p-m, and Spring Lake Park and Chanhassen clash in the Class 5-A state title game at 4 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
